Nelson O. Murphy, age 78 of Essex, IA passed away on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at the Shenandoah Medical Center in Shenandoah, IA.

Nelson Oren Murphy was born on April 18, 1946 in Nebraska City, NE; the son of Nelson Riley and Della Lea (King) Murphy.  He grew up and attended school in Nebraska City.

On May 9, 1964, Nelson was united in marriage to Cora E. Smith in Julian, NE.  They resided in Nebraska City, where they raised their four children, then Farragut, IA until settling in Essex, IA in 2000. 

Nelson joined the United States Army in April 1967 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War.  He received the Vietnam Service Medal and Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and two Overseas Bars.  He was honorably discharged on January 15, 1970.  He then joined the United States Army Reserve and retired in 1995.

He is survived by his four children:  Sherrie Hale of Tingley, IA, Tommy Murphy of Essex, IA, Pamela (Dean) Hastings of Glenwood, IA and Tammy Smith-Sobotka of Tingley, IA; grandchildren:  Tritan, Zach, Debbie and Thomas Murphy, Austin and Aubrey Hastings, Ottis Hale III, Natasha (Alex) Pfeil, Brittany Maher, Nate Hale, Ryan Murphy, Jordan Murphy, Cory (Jordan) Myers, Tiffani (Mike Clark) Hastings, Jack (Emily) Murphy, Billy Shatswell, Dakota (Brandon Gomel) Weaver and Jasmine (Jesse Fletcher) Weaver, Nicole Adkins, Jonathan and Brandon Yost; great-grandchildren:  Fenix and Stefan Hale, Piper, Paislee and Asher Maher, Bentlee, Braxton and Cooper Hale, Elena Myers, Kailey and Benson Clark, Olivia and Lucy Murphy, Landon, Logan and Phoenix Gomel, Charlie and Bailey Fletcher; siblings: John P. “Ap” Murphy (Joyce) of Nebr. City, NE, John (Bo Murphy) Steedly of Sidney, IA, Cindy Weible of Nebr. City, NE and Brenda Rogman (Randy) of Nebr. City, NE; sister-in-law Nancy Murphy of Buhl, ID and brother-in-law John Clark of Syracuse, NE; other family and friends.

Nelson was preceded in death by his wife, Cora Murphy on Feb. 26, 2022; his parents; sister Linda Clark; brother Roy Murphy and brother-in-law Burt Weible.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City with Pastor Terry Weible officiating.  Burial will follow at Wyuka Cemetery in Nebr. City with Military Honors conducted by the Nebraska Army National Guard Funeral Honors Detail and the Talmage American Legion Post.

The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service on Tuesday.

Memorials may be given to the family.

Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City is in charge of arrangements.